Home destroyed in Friday fire

Ashe rallies around Turnmire family

(Photo submitted) A GoFundMe site - New Start for the Turnmires - said that all the members of the Turnmire family were uninjured by the July 8, fire, with the exception of two pets. This photo shows the totaled home following the fire.

(Photo submitted) A GoFundMe site - New Start for the Turnmires - has raised some $1,500 toward its $10,000 goal some 48 hours after the fire. You can also drop off clothing and supplied at LifeStore in West Jefferson to help the family get back on its feet.

WEST JEFFERSON-A West Jefferson family is left picking up the pieces after a fire totaled the family’s Bald Mountain Road home Friday morning.

That news comes from Ashe County Fire Marshal Bob Davis, who said Jeff Turnmire, his wife and three children were uninjured after a blaze broke out in the family’s home shortly after 9 a.m. July 8.

“It’s never a good sign when you can see the smoke and smell a fire when you’re a couple miles out, like this one,” Davis said. “But they got out and nobody was hurt and that’s the main thing.”

Firefighters from three departments – West Jefferson, Jefferson and Fleetwood along with the Ashe County Rescue Squad – were quickly on the scene of the fire, which happened at 2246 Bald Mountain Road. The first firefighters on the scene found the home fully engulfed and went to work

“There’s no indication right off as to how it started, so it’s still under investigation,” Davis said. “It was called in by a neighbor at 9:13 a.m. – who saw smoke coming from the eaves – and it went real fast from there.”

Turnmire’s body shop, which sits next door to the family’s home, was untouched by the fire, Davis said.

Davis said Turnmire is working with the Red Cross and family member Emily Calhoun asked friends online to keep her sister, brother-in-law and children in their prayers.

“They are heartbroken over the loss but thank God no one was hurt in the fire,” Calhoun wrote.

Fundraising efforts

Ashe County began to rally around the Turnmires shortly after the blaze. Lauren Severt launched a GoFundMe page – search for New Start for the Turnmires – and LifeStore Bank is offering a physical location to drop off money and supplies for the family according to Lori Calhoun.

Severt said the Turnmires managed to save a few belongings from the smoke and fire, but lost two of their pets in the blaze.

“This family is in need of prayers and stuff to help them get started back going,” Severt wrote. “Jeff is a firefighter himself and has helped save lives and homes of others this time it was their home, the only home the children hvae ever known to be home. Please share this in hopes of others helping.”

Lori Calhoun said clothing for the family can be dropped off at LifeStore Bank in downtown West Jefferson and monetary donations for Jeff and Alicia Turnmire can be made to any of the LifeStore branches.

(Photo submitted) A GoFundMe site – New Start for the Turnmires – said that all the members of the Turnmire family were uninjured by the July 8, fire, with the exception of two pets. This photo shows the totaled home following the fire.

http://jeffersonpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_TurnmireFundraiser2.jpg(Photo submitted) A GoFundMe site – New Start for the Turnmires – said that all the members of the Turnmire family were uninjured by the July 8, fire, with the exception of two pets. This photo shows the totaled home following the fire.

(Photo submitted) A GoFundMe site – New Start for the Turnmires – has raised some $1,500 toward its $10,000 goal some 48 hours after the fire. You can also drop off clothing and supplied at LifeStore in West Jefferson to help the family get back on its feet.

http://jeffersonpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_Turnmires.jpg(Photo submitted) A GoFundMe site – New Start for the Turnmires – has raised some $1,500 toward its $10,000 goal some 48 hours after the fire. You can also drop off clothing and supplied at LifeStore in West Jefferson to help the family get back on its feet.